TUCK, John Nicholson


No.42780, Private, John Nicholson TUCK
Aged 37


14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Killed in Action on 3rd December 1917


Apparently on the Ixworth memorial due to his sisters (Mrs Eizabeth KEMP and Rebecca TUCK residing at London House, Ixworth at the time of his death and certainly up to 1919.)

The family seems to have escaped most census. So far the trail I have followed is John Nicholson TUCK marrying Rebekah CORDER (Kensington 1878), apparently his father's 2nd marriage. GRO records show Rebecca TUCK born 1879, John Nickelson born 1880 also William born 1884 and Elizabeth born 1884 all with mother's maiden name CORDER John Nickelson Tuck was born in Bayswater (4th qtr 1880 Kensington 1a:55) son of John Nicolson and Rebekah TUCK (née CORDER).

1891 census...none identified

1901 census...John junior, his father and sister Rebecca not found Apparently his mother Rebecca TUCK [57] needlewomn born Essex was at The Street, Rickinghall Superior with his brother William [18] a painter born Moscow Road, London and sister Elizabeth [16] dressmaker born Portobello Road, London

1911 census...John junior, his father and sister Rebecca not found. Possibly his brother is the patient in St. Audrey's Hospital, Melton, Woodbridge. His mother was still at Rickinghall Superior with his sister Elizabeth and a boarder, John KEMP. More than likely the John KEMP that married Elizabeth TUCK in 1911 (Hartismere)


Mother's death registered Bury St.Edmunds in 1914.



No pension card found



He enlisted in the Essex Regiment 6543 at on 10th December 1915. giving his age as 35 years 3 months, a grocer's checker from 19 Fulham Place, Paddington. Born Bayswater, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, chest 33.5 to 36.5 inches, weighing 126 lbs, Wesleyan..Next of kin Mrs KEMP (his sister) of London House, Ixworth.
Placed on Reserves. He was mobilised on 18th April 1916, and posted to BEF on 28th August 1916. transferred to Durham Light Infantry 42780 on 16th September 1916. He received a gun-shot wound to his left wrist on 12-10-1918 and admitted to 48 C.C.S (at Grovetown-Meaulte) then to 26 General Hospital at Etaples on 14-10-1916 and was evacuated to UK per HMHS "Dieppe" on 24-10-1916. Admitted to West Bridgford, Notts Military Hospital on 25-10-1916, discharged 6th January 1917. Admitted to hospital in Eastbourne 13-3-1917 (bullet wound right wrist). Returned to France on 10th September 1917.

His sister completed Army Form 5080 in 1919 and recorded herself Elizabeth KEMP and Rebecca TUCK both of London House, Ixworth as his only living blood relatives.

His sister Rebecca TUCK signed for his medals in 1921
On the 11th October the battalion had made a partially successful attack east of le Sars. They had been forced to halt by reason to the 12th Division failing to advance on their left and the West Yorks on their right had been mown down by MG fire. They were forced to consolidate and form a defensive flank.
Casualties were 1 officer 7 OR killed, 4 officers 8 OR wounded and 19 OR missing


Scene of the action..Rainbow Trench where they were on 13th, having been relieved.



John Tuck is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval panel 10

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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